Overview:
- Year: 2003
- Type: Puerh Sheng Cha (Raw Tea)
- Weight: 357g
- Series: T8653 - Xiao Fei (Small NeiFei)
Description: The 2003 XiaGuan "T8653 - Xiao Fei" Iron Cake is a distinguished Puerh Raw Tea. This version is known as "Xiao Fei" due to the smaller NeiFei paper compared to the "Da Fei" version from 2001. The tea is tightly compressed, featuring neat tea threads and a great appearance.
Tea Characteristics:
- Appearance: Tight and neat tea threads with a great appearance.
- Tea Liquor: Clear with brightness.
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Aroma and Flavor:
- Smokiness: Slight smoky flavor with the tea’s original fragrance.
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Taste Profile:
- Sweetness: Accompanied by medium bitterness and astringency.
- Flavor Strength: Refreshing tea flavor with a strength that typically emerges slowly but remains strong.
- Thick Taste: The tea offers a thick and mellow taste.
- Aging: The "T" version, due to its hard cake form, ages much slower, preserving the original new tea fragrance well.
- Comparison: The FT version is softer in flavor compared to the general version, which emphasizes strength.
Storage:
- Guangzhou Natural Storage: This tea has been naturally stored in Guangzhou, contributing to its gradual aging and flavor development.
Background and Series Context:
- "8653": A benchmark Sheng Puerh in the market, originally produced in 1985 for a Japanese buyer. The order was later canceled, leading to domestic sales. The "8653" series is named after the blend recipe from 1986 using 5th grade tea materials. XiaGuan Tea Factory, known as No.3 during CNNP group, produced it.
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Variations:
- General "8653"
- "T 8653": Pressed into an iron-like hard cake ("T" stands for "Tie Bing" or "iron cake" in pinyin).
- "FT 8653": Ordered by "Fei Tai" (Fly to Taiwan) tea company, using younger and tinier leaves for a less rough taste.
- "FTT 8653": An iron cake version ordered by the FT tea company.
Recommendation: This tea is well-suited for those seeking to learn about Puerh tea and enjoy it in their daily tea life. Its unique blend of flavors, slow aging process, and historical significance make it a valuable addition to any tea collection.
Comparison Image: The photo of "Xiao Fei" with the smaller NeiFei paper compared to the "Da Fei" version can be referenced for a visual comparison.
Summary
The 2003 XiaGuan "T8653 - Xiao Fei" Iron Cake is a robust and flavorful Sheng Puerh tea, offering a unique tasting experience that balances smokiness, sweetness, and bitterness. Its historical significance and careful production make it an excellent choice for both seasoned tea drinkers and those new to Puerh tea.